After a stellar 2012 regular season in which he seemed to defy the aging process, Champ Bailey was exposed in the Broncos’ divisional playoff loss to the Ravens as Torrey Smith beat him for two long touchdowns.

Despite that thud of an ending, Bailey, who turns 35 in June, is almost defiant about his ability to still play the NFL’s second-most demanding position.

Amid whispers that he might need to move to safety because of slipping speed, Bailey shot back this week in an interview with the Denver Post. A year ago he told the Post that he would consider a move to safety in maybe his 16th season when he would be 36. He’s not budging from that time frame.

“Hey, until these young guys start doing something, I’m not taking a back seat to them,” said Bailey, a 12-time Pr0 Bowler who is entering his 15th season. "Later on, maybe, but right now I still feel like I can play at the level I expect and the level they expect me to at corner. Besides, I’m not even close to 36. I’m 34.”

Bailey, who had two interceptions in each of the past three years, says he would like to see the Broncos’ defense create more turnovers. Denver tied for 16th in takeaways with 24 in 2012.

"When I looked at it, I did OK last year, but I just feel like I left a lot of plays out there," Bailey said. "I think, you just have to make those plays, us as a defense and me personally. When we have the chance to turn a game with a turnover, we have to make those plays. We have to have those kinds of plays at key times. Don't leave anything on the table."